Indian street food is some of the best in the world. Not only this but if you’re a westerner, the price of Indian street food is unbelievably low. While many of these foods are not available in the West, if they were sold for these prices, the sellers would lose money. However, street food vendors in India are able to produce and sell at these prices for a profit.
Breakfast:
- Samosas: These deep-fried pastry pockets filled with spiced potatoes, peas, or lentils are a common breakfast item and cost about $0.15 to $0.30 each.
- Idli and Sambar: A south Indian specialty, these steamed rice cakes served with a tangy lentil soup typically cost around $0.20 to $0.40 per serving.
Lunch:
- Pav Bhaji: A fast-food dish from Mumbai, consisting of a thick vegetable curry served with soft bread rolls, is priced around $0.40 to $0.67
- Chole Bhature: This North Indian favorite, featuring spicy chickpeas and deep-fried bread, is available for about $0.27 to $0.67
Evening Snacks: A Little Spice and Everything Nice
- Vada Pav: Often called the Indian burger, this Mumbai street food staple, comprising a deep-fried potato dumpling in a bread bun, can be enjoyed for $0.27 to $0.67
- Momos: These Tibetan-style dumplings, popular in many Indian cities, typically cost between $0.27 to $1 for a plate.
Dinner:
- Dosa with Chutney: A crisp, savory pancake from South India, often served with a variety of chutneys and sambar, ranges from $0.40 to $1 per serving.
- Biryani: This fragrant rice dish, mixed with spices and meat or vegetables, can be found for about $1 to $2 per plate.
Desserts:
- Gulab Jamun: These deep-fried milk-solid balls soaked in sweet syrup are often available for about $0.10 to $0.20 each.
- Jalebi: A popular sweet made by deep-frying a wheat-flour batter in pretzel shapes and soaking them in syrup, priced around $0.15 to $0.30 per portion.
Drinks:
- Chai: The quintessential Indian tea, often spiced and sweetened with milk, is available for as little as $0.20 per cup.
- Lassi: This traditional yogurt-based drink, sweet or savory, can cost between $0.20 to $0.50.
In comparison to dining at mid-range restaurants, where a meal can cost around $4 to $7 USD, street food in India is not only a feast for the senses but also easy on the wallet. As the cost of living is so low in Indian, these prices are very normal for anyone who lives in the country. Of course for foreigners, these prices are incredibly cheap.
